TECHNOLOGY

Out: researching dietary concerns at home

In: using smartphone apps in stores

If you follow a special diet, a trip to the supermarket usually starts with advance planning and research. But the growing number of smartphone apps will make grocery shopping infinitely easier, predicts Jeff Weidauer of retail marketing-services firm Vestcom. You'll be able to scan the barcode of a food item and check if it contains nuts, or confirm that it's vegan or certified gluten-free. "Many will also include user reviews, so you can find out on the spot what people think," he adds.

FLAVORS

Out: Americanized ethnic cuisines

In: authentic ethnic cuisines

Thanks to the popularity of food TV, consumers (especially Gen Xers and Yers) are hungry for bold new flavors -- and they want the real thing, says Craig Julius, senior culinologist with Sterling Culinary Inc. "Indian is going to be the next big trend in packaged foods," retail foodindustry consultant Michael Sansolo predicts. The timing couldn't be better for the mostly vegetarian cuisine, considering the popularity of the flexitarian diet. Plus, it's usually low-fat and packed with immune-boosting spices like coriander, cumin and turmeric, says Marisa Moore of the American Dietetic Association.

HEALTH

Out: nutritionally boosted foods

In: minimally processed foods

Last year food manufacturers added protein, omega-3s and other nutritional enhancements to pretty much everything (even water!). But now there's a push to get back to basics. "People are avoiding processed foods made with unrecognizable ingredients," says Lynn Dornblaser, new-product analyst at Mintel International Group. In response, companies will start using more real foods and fewer lab-created nutrients -- and they'll tout these changes on the labels, predicts culinary trends expert Suzy Badaracco of Culinary Tides.

RETAIL STORES

Out: no-frills supermarkets

In: supermarkets with VIP perks

Because of increasing competition from online retailers, warehouse clubs and convenience stores, supermarkets will need new ways to entice shoppers. Pretty soon your local grocery store will tempt you with spa treatments and consultations with in-store nutritionists, Sansolo says. (Already, big chains like Wegmans and Kroger have introduced upscale restaurants and bars.) "Most of us are busy and stressed, so an enjoyable shopping experience will be a huge draw," he says.

MARKET CLAIMS

Out: "all-natural"

In: "artisan"

There's no shortage of breakfast cereals, fruit snacks and other foods labeled "all-natural." But our interest in these products is dwindling as we learn the claim is unregulated. Food manufacturers are adopting a new buzzword: "artisan." Because it implies "handmade," the claim appeals to shoppers who seek out quality and want to support small producers, explains Kara Nielsen, trendologist with the Center for Culinary Development. Of course, big brands will jump on the bandwagon, too, plastering "artisan" on mass-produced products. They'll even use minimalist or retro designs to evoke a sense of nostalgia, packaging expert Jonathan Asher says.